Faith – Buzzword of Christianesse Other than Grace, Faith is perhaps the most misused and misunderstood word in the Christian vernacular. In its common usage throughout scripture, and especially the New Testament, it simply means full, relational trust in someone. Though “relational” is not technically part of the definition, it is part of the process! Trust is a relational term at its core, but when it is used in the realm of the “religious” it often becomes a work and is therefore NOT relational. AS such it becomes a merit badge rather than a proof of intimacy. This is especially true when […]
Continue readingCategory Archives: Articles
If My people…Part 3
Point # 3 – God is STILL talking to His Godly King Solomon. He is responding to his request (2 Chron. 6:24-31), that God hear the prayers of His people when they repent for sins which bring trouble on them by way of judgment. “If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” God’s promise hear is to His king. Notice the promise was to heal the land of the natural disasters brought on them due to judgment […]
Continue readingIf My people…Part 4
Point # 4 – God is STILL talking exclusively to the Godly King Solomon. He is telling him the conditions upon which he and his descendants will continue to rule His people. “And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before Me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe My statutes and My judgments; Then will I establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. But if ye turn away, and forsake My […]
Continue readingIf My people…Part 2
Point # 2 – God is STILL talking to the King. He is affirming to Solomon that He may at times bring calamity upon Israel in response to their sins – just like the king had said in his prayer in 2 Chron. 6:24-31. “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people;” God is addressing Solomon (not Israel) in response to his prayer. Read what Solomon prayed and then look at the issues God addresses in His response. […]
Continue readingIf My people…Part 1
Politically minded Christians… are very aware of the promise of God in II Chron. 7:14. At least, they are familiar with part of it anyway. Quite honestly, I dove into this study for two reasons: Some of the people in my church asked me to teach on it. As a result of the prayers I have heard in Christian circles which relied upon this verse. It seemed to me that there were several problems with its use and certainly with the prayers in which it was referenced. Nearly all of these prayers were focused on changing […]
Continue reading